Improvement in game-tables



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. STILES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME-TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,389, dated October 27, 1874; application filed June 5, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. STILEs,

of the city and county of Philadelphia, and the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Game-Tables and I do hereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand, make, and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, in Which- Figure 1 is a front view of the device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3 is an end view thereof. Fig. 4 is a top view thereof.

Similarlettersof reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists in so constructing a consol-table, or other table having an upwardly-projectin g back, that it may be readily converted into a game-table.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a consol-table, the same consisting of a body, B,which is mounted on legs 0, and a back, D, which projects upwardly at one side of the body, and above the top thereof.

Heretofore the back of said tables has been rigidly connected to the body B, and in most cases the front face of the back D provided with a mirror, G, for purpose of utility and ornament; but the opposite face or rear of said back has been of no special construction, since it occupies a position against the wall of the room in which the table is located.

The object of my invention is to utilize said rear of the back D, and to this end I form the same into a billiard or other game board, H, and hinge the back to the body, so that it may be folded down on the body, as in Figs. 2 and 3, and the rear of the back thus becomes uppermost. A look or fastening, J, is applied to the body B, and so located that when the back D is elevated, or in position for purposes of a consol-table, it may be secured and prevented from falling or overturning. K represents a drawer, which is fitted in the body B, and accessible from the rear thereof.

The legs 0 may be hinged, screwed, or otherwise connected to the body B of the table, and, if desired, mounted on caster-rollers.

It will be seen that the functions of the table A are in no wise destroyed, while the rear of its back D is utilized as a game-table, it being only necessary to release the lock or fastening J and swing down the back, so that the latter rests on the body B, whereby the game-board H is exposed, and in condition and position for playing.

The cues, balls, or other implementsof a game will be stored in the drawer K, and it will be observed that when the back is elevated, as shown in Fig.1, or illustrated by the dotted lines, Fig. 3, the lower portion a of the back projects below the top of the body B of the table, and in front of the drawer K, and serves to hold said drawer in closed position,

so that the latter cannot be opened, and the balls or implements removed without previously releasing fastening J.

This arrangement or projection of the lower portion of the back a also serves to hold the back when elevated, inasmuch as when the back D is against the wall of a room the said lower portion has a bearing against the wall, and thus prevents the swinging down of the .upper portion of the back. By these means,

also, the fastening J is relieved of strain.

A suitable covering may be applied to the board H to conceal the same and protect the face thereof.

The invention is equally applicable to sideboards and similar pieces of furniture having an upwardly-projecting back.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. The consol-table herein described, consisting, essentially, of the body B, legs 0, and game-board D,hinged thereto, all constructed and arranged to serve either as a game or consol table, substantially as described.

, 2. In combination with the subject-matter of the preceding claim, the drawer K and lock J, arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

W M. O. STILES.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, A. P. GRANT. 

